Ciesla begins Northbrook board presidency in inclusive fashion

Certainly it is in its infancy, but Kathryn Ciesla established an inclusive tone in her first full meeting Tuesday as Northbrook Village president.

Perhaps unavoidable, as she was joined in the remote meeting by new trustee and Nigeria native Joy Ebhomielen, the first African-American to serve in that post for Northbrook.

First up, a Girl Scout Troop from Wood Oaks Junior High delivered the Pledge of Allegiance.

On the 1-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd, Ciesla read a proclamation that approved June 4 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" in Northbrook.

Shortly came another proclamation, this one recognizing a "Welcoming and Inclusive Community Pledge." That was recited by Emma Martinelli, one of four Northbrook Junior High social studies students who had written to Ciesla "about fighting hate and intolerance," the new president said.

"I find it is our children's hope that carries us through life's most difficult moments," Ciesla said.

Honoring an idea from trustee Muriel Collison, the board heard what will be a recurring feature in the mode of its "Go Green Northbrook Green Minute" (co-director Marilyn Fish also Zoomed in on Tuesday as usual) - a message by RAIN, Racial Awareness in the North Shore.

In it, RAIN's Alice Lonoff introduced Van Gilmer, not only music director of the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, but a Woolworth's lunch counter protester in the early 1960s as a North Carolina A & T student.

Gilmer said he will lead a discussion, "How to Have Conversations about Race," from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 15 at the Northbrook Public Library.

"I am really excited that Northbrook in particular has made some of the decisions you've made here," Gilmer said.

"I'm just happy to know you're on the right track," Gilmer said. "Look at your new board member (Ebhomielen)."

Including a resolution honoring the retiring Marcia Franklin's 20 years of service on the Plan Commission and a notice on the passing of former Village President Dick Falcone - the new president, a former 12-year trustee, said it was the longest president's report she'd remembered.

In a meeting that spanned 3 hours and 50 minutes between the Committee of the Whole and the regular session, the new board got work done, too.

The Committee of the Whole, in a session led by trustee Bob Israel, tried to figure out how to remain within its $239,000 budget for fiscal year 2021-22 contributions to community organizations and still satisfy the 12 applicants.

They ranged from those with small requests ($500 from the Glenbrook North Senior Send-off Committee) to large ($137,000 from Youth Services). The COW stressed the importance of funding organizations, such as The Josselyn Center, that provide mental health services.

After more than an hour and a half discussion, the committee decided to fund the applicants at their 2020-21 levels to remain at the $239,000 mark, then revisit them after additional funds came in from vehicle stickers.

Last year residents contributed around an extra $70,000 by purchasing a premium sticker, with those funds going to community organizations. The new stickers, designed by Northbrook's Community Action Together for Children's Health group (CATCH), are available starting June 1.

Moving to the regular board meeting after a brief break to regain circulation, the board passed a consent agenda that included authorization of a permit for Crown Castle USA to construct a new platform of wireless antennas on an existing tower at 1603-1607 Techny Road.

The main event was a return to the accessory dwelling unit discussion the board heard under former President Sandy Frum in October 2020. Introduced by Department & Planning Director Michaela Kohlstedt then led by Collison, it was a preliminary discussion of a topic trustee Heather Ross called "the wave of the future."

Detached coach houses or attached "granny flats," these units also are subject to myriad zoning regulations and, as trustee Dan Pepoon noted, potentially affect parking, emergency response, sewage removal and stormwater runoff.

Trustee Johanna Hebl told a compelling story of how she wished she'd had such an option for her aging in-laws, but inevitably trustees were split 3-3 on detached units while favoring attached dwellings.

Ciesla summarized: "I'm guessing that our purpose is to allow seniors to stay in their homes, to be able to bring in in-laws or a parent into a home - and/or, if you have a child with a disability to have that child grow up semi-independent but close. So, how do we achieve those goals?"

As this will be debated by Northbrook's Plan Commission, Ciesla also sought public opinion she said had also been divided.

"Given that we're really split on it," Ciesla said, "we really need to hear from the public."